Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling General Admission Requirements

Admission in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is based on the candidate's potential for graduate study, previous preparation and experience, and the possession of personal qualities that contribute to success as a counselor. Although no specific undergraduate major is required for admission to the program, students with backgrounds in related fields such as psychology, education, sociology, criminal justice, Spanish, biology, and nursing are best prepared to enter the discipline.

The following documents must be received prior to the application deadline:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and non-refundable application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). International transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received at least a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative GPA.
  3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE). Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.

In accordance with Board of Regents' policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on the Dahlonega campus, or any other designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

Regular Admission

To qualify for regular admission, individuals must:

  1. Hold at least an earned baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures.
  2. Have achieved a score of no less than 800 on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) (verbal and quantitative combined).
  3. Submit a resume.
  4. Submit three North Georgia recommendation forms from persons who are able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
  5. Submit a personal statement of 3-5 pages, double-spaced, that is autobiographical in nature that addresses the following:
    1. Brief personal history.
    2. Why you want to become a counselor.
    3. Attributes you possess which would contribute to your effectiveness as a counselor.
    4. Personal characteristics which may inhibit your relationships with clients and what you are doing to resolve those issues.
  6. Participate in group interview with counseling faculty.

All documents must be received prior to the application deadline. The meeting of all admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Final admission is a competitive process that takes all aspects of a student's record into account.

Provisional Admission

A student may be granted provisional admission in cases where regular admission is not granted and the following conditions apply:

  1. Hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admissions procedures.
  2. Have achieved a score of no less than 700 on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) (verbal and quantitative combined).
  3. Meet all other regular program admission requirements.

Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a total of six hours of graduate credit. Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of six hours. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the program coordinator after a period of one year from the date the student was removed. Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate counseling courses, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses and may register for no more than a total of six hours of graduate credit.

The following documents must be received prior to the application deadline:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and non-refundable application fee.
  2. Earned baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admissions procedures.
  3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) of at least 700 (verbal and quantitative combined). Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
  4. Resume.
  5. Three North Georgia recommendation forms from persons who are able to address academic potential, professional experiences in the helping professions, and non-academic experiences that add breadth in understanding the human condition.
  6. Personal statement of 3-5 pages, double-spaced, that is autobiographical in nature that addresses the following:
    1. Brief personal history.
    2. Why you want to become a counselor.
    3. Attributes you possess which would contribute to your effectiveness as a counselor.
    4. Personal characteristics which may inhibit your relationships with clients and what you are doing to resolve those issues.
  7. Approval of program coordinator.

In accordance with Board of Regents' policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on the Dahlonega campus, or any other designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

No more than six hours of graduate credit earned while holding a non-degree status may subsequently be applied toward meeting the requirements of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. All credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the program coordinator. Non-degree students wishing to apply for regular admission to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application, and meet all program admission requirements. Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate counseling course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue to enroll in counseling course work. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the program coordinator after a period of one year from the date the student was removed. Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally-accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to application deadline:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and and non-refundable application fee.
  2. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission Form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at North Georgia.. The North Georgia Clinical Mental Health program coordinator may require the applicant to submit a transcript of his or her previous college work in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.

In accordance with Board of Regents' policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on the Dahlonega campus, or any other designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

Transient admission is for one semester term only. Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to North Georgia.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Department of Psychology and Sociology, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, Georgia 30597-100l, email : mplargent@northgeorgia.edu. Appeals conform to the following procedures:

  1. Letter of appeal must be submitted to the Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program addressing the unmet criteria.
  2. Applicants must submit the full application by the deadline including the letter of appeal in order to be considered for the upcoming term. Materials submitted after that time may be considered for the subsequent term.
  3. Students will be asked to attend the group interview or may have an individual meeting with the coordinator/admissions committee based on availability of faculty members.
  4. The admissions committee will make recommendations to the Dean of the School of Arts & Letters.
  5. Students whose appeals are accepted will be admitted provisionally and are not eligible for financial aid while under provisional admission status.
  6. Students may not appeal for regular admission.

For denial of admittance other than GPA or GRE, a letter of appeal may be submitted to the Dean of the School of Arts & Letters.

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Master of Science with a Major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling